Uluslararası Servis ve Lezzet Akademisi

What Uluslararası Servis ve Lezzet Akademisi does

Uluslararası Servis ve Lezzet Akademisi (USLA), founded in 2014 and headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, is a private culinary and hospitality academy that delivers MEB-certified professional training across cooking, pastry and baking, food and beverage management, service and hospitality, bar and mixology, and barista disciplines (SCA-certified), alongside a Bronze-certified Japanese Culinary Arts program delivered with Topkapı University. The academy operates two Istanbul campuses — a 2,500 sqm flagship at Kanyon Shopping Mall and a secondary site in Mecidiyeköy — and runs four student-operated commercial outlets on site: Gusto by USLA (Italian restaurant), USLA Patisserie, Chocolate by USLA, and Skola Coffee, which double as live training environments and retail channels.

The underlying platform is physical infrastructure: professional kitchens, pastry and chocolate labs, barista and mixology stations, theory classrooms, and a curated gastronomy library, supported by a faculty of approximately 20 expert instructors including master chef Shunichi Horikoshi. USLA also extends into modular specialization workshops with guest chefs (seafood, sushi, offal, whisky) priced ₺4,000–₺72,000, youth summer schools for ages 9-17, corporate team-building events, and an e-commerce store selling Skola coffee blends, chef apparel, and barista equipment. The curriculum is informed by operational data from 60+ partner restaurants, and graduates receive a 6-month job placement guarantee plus international internship pathways via AHA certification.

USLA generates revenue through one-time tuition fees for professional programs (₺24,000–₺475,000), pay-as-you-go workshop fees, retail product sales (coffee, chocolate, apparel, equipment), and corporate event and venue rental income. Following the 2024 investment by Aziz Ebay Holding and AA Investment Fund, USLA is embedded within a diversified hospitality and food conglomerate that also owns the Ali Ocakbaşı restaurant chain operating across 5 countries with 150+ locations, providing a unique graduate placement and curriculum-integration flywheel that few standalone culinary schools can match.

Name

Uluslararası Servis ve Lezzet Akademisi

Legal name

Uluslararası Servis ve Lezzet Akademisi

Website

https://usla.com.tr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Uluslararası Servis ve Lezzet Akademisi (USLA) is a private Istanbul-based culinary and hospitality academy founded in 2014, offering MEB-, AHA-, SCA-, and Bronze-certified professional programs in cooking, pastry, mixology, barista, and Japanese cuisine, with hands-on training in student-operated restaurants and integrated job placement through its Aziz Ebay Holding ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Culinary and Hospitality Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Culinary Arts (Chef Training) (EDAOAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Safety, Sanitation & HACCP Training (EDAOAKAG), Culinary Arts & Cooking (Baking, Pastry, Global Cuisines) (EDAAAGAG), Hospitality & Food Service (EDABALAO)

Keywords

• Culinary arts education
• Professional cooking training
• Pastry and baking courses
• Hospitality service training
• Barista and mixology programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Istanbul

HQ country

Türkiye

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Professional Culinary Education Programs: Long-term professional programs in cooking, pastry, and baking with MEB certification. Programs range from 4-month intensive courses to 8-month programs with internships, with tuition ranging from 24,000₺ to 475,000₺.
2. Workshop Programs: Single-session workshops covering various cuisines and techniques, priced from 4,000₺ to 72,000₺. Includes youth summer camps, corporate team-building events, and specialty workshops with guest chefs.
3. Retail Product Sales: Sale of culinary products including Skola coffee blends, USLA merchandise (chef jackets), and chocolate products through the on-campus store (Dükkan) and Chocolate by USLA.
4. Event Venue Rental: Rental of meeting rooms and training facilities to external parties. Large meeting room (70 m², 40 capacity) and small meeting room (25 m², 20 capacity) available with full technology equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

USLA (Uluslararası Servis ve Lezzet Akademisi) is a private culinary and hospitality academy in Istanbul that delivers MEB-certified and internationally certified professional training programs in cooking, pastry and baking, barista, mixology, and Japanese cuisine. The academy combines classroom instruction with hands-on training in its on-campus operational outlets (Gusto by USLA restaurant, USLA Patisserie, Chocolate by USLA, and Skola Coffee) and offers workshops, youth programs, corporate team-building events, and an online store selling branded merchandise and coffee products.

Product overview

USLA (Uluslararası Servis ve Lezzet Akademisi / International Service and Flavor Academy) is a comprehensive culinary and hospitality education platform offering a portfolio of programs including professional culinary training, professional pastry and baking, entrepreneurship programs, Ministry-certified courses (MEB) in food & beverage management, service & hospitality, bar & mixology, and barista training (SCA certified), Japanese cuisine specialization (Bronze certified), and modular expert workshops. The academy operates branded outlet experiences at its Kanyon campus—Gusto by USLA restaurant, Skola Coffee, Chocolate by USLA, and USLA Patisserie—where students gain hands-on operational experience. The program structure combines modular specialization tracks with traditional semester-based professional education, supported by a field ecosystem covering 5 countries with 150+ restaurants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gusto by USLA: Boutique Italian cuisine restaurant located at the Kanyon campus, serving as both a training environment for hospitality students and a dining destination for the public.
• Chocolate by USLA
• Skola Coffee
• USLA Patisserie
• USLA Kütüphane

Products and services

• Profesyonel Aşçılık Eğitimi (Professional Culinary Training) Comprehensive culinary arts education program covering theoretical knowledge and practical skills, including knife techniques, cold kitchen practices, meat/fish/seafood cooking, and food safety, leading to MEB certification. Designed for individuals pursuing culinary careers in restaurants, hotels, and catering.
• Profesyonel Pastacılık ve Ekmekçilik Eğitimi (Professional Pastry and Baking) Professional pastry and baking program teaching classical and contemporary techniques for pastries, breads, cakes, and desserts, with hands-on training in the on-campus USLA Patisserie. Targets aspiring professional pastry chefs.
• Girişimcilere Özel Aşçılık ve İşletme Yönetimi (Entrepreneurship Cooking and Business Management) Culinary training combined with business management skills designed for entrepreneurs looking to open their own food establishments. A 5-month program blending kitchen training with operational knowledge.
• Girişimcilere Özel Pastacılık ve Ekmekçilik İşletme Yönetimi (Entrepreneurship Pastry and Business Management) Pastry and baking entrepreneurship program combined with business management training for aspiring pastry business owners seeking to launch or operate their own bakeries or pastry shops.
• Bronze Sertifikalı Japon Mutfağı Programı (Bronze Certified Japanese Cuisine) UNESCO-recognized Washoku program in collaboration with Topkapı University and Far East Culinary Academy, leading to internationally recognized Bronze certification, taught by master chef Shunichi Horikoshi. Targets chefs and culinary professionals seeking Japanese cuisine expertise.
• MEB Sertifikalı Yiyecek ve İçecek İşletmeciliği (MEB Certified Food and Beverage Management) Ministry of National Education certified program covering food and beverage business management, operations, and hospitality industry fundamentals. Aimed at individuals seeking formal F&B operations credentials.
• MEB Sertifikalı Servis ve Ağırlama Eğitimi (MEB Certified Service and Hospitality) Ministry certified training in professional service, hospitality management, and guest relations in food service environments. Designed for individuals pursuing careers in restaurant service and front-of-house operations.
• MEB Sertifikalı Bar ve Miksoloji Eğitimi (MEB Certified Bar and Mixology) Ministry certified program in professional bartending and mixology covering cocktail preparation, bar management, and beverage service. Designed for aspiring bartenders and bar professionals.
• SCA ve MEB Sertifikalı Barista Eğitimi (SCA and MEB Certified Barista) Dual certification program combining Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standards with Ministry of National Education certification for professional barista training. Aimed at individuals pursuing specialty coffee careers.
• Workshoplar (Workshops) Hands-on cooking, pastry, cocktail, and culinary technique workshops for hobbyists and professionals, including Mexican cuisine, sushi, Thai cuisine, cheesecakes, fresh pasta, and youth summer camps. Single-session format priced from 4,000 TL to 72,000 TL.
• Mutfağa İlk Adım Serisi (First Steps in Kitchen Series) Entry-level cooking and pastry workshops including Aşçılık 1, Pastacılık 1 & 2, Çikolata, Teknikten Tabağa, and youth programs available in Turkish and English. Targets hobbyists and beginners.
• Modüler Uzmanlaşma Eğitimleri (Modular Specialization Programs) Expert-level modular workshops taught by renowned chefs including seafood with Çiğdem Alagök, sushi with Shunichi Horikoshi, offal with Murat Deniz Temel, and whisky pairing with Barış Mercan. Targets advanced professionals seeking specialization.
• Gusto by USLA (Training Restaurant) Training restaurant at Kanyon campus offering boutique Italian cuisine where students gain real-world service experience, managed by Academy Chef Cenk Akkaya and Chef Ercüment Temiz. Operates as a public-facing restaurant and student training environment.
• Skola Coffee (Coffee Shop and Brand) On-campus coffee shop and branded retail coffee line providing hands-on training for barista students. Sells packaged Skola-branded espresso, filter, and Turkish coffee blends to the public.
• Chocolate by USLA (Chocolate Shop) Chocolate boutique at Kanyon campus where chocolate-making students apply their training and the public can purchase artisanal chocolates, including custom bonbons and seasonal creations.
• USLA Patisserie (Pastry and Bakery Shop)
• USLA Online Store (Dükkan) E-commerce storefront selling USLA-branded chef jackets and merchandise, Skola coffee blends, chocolate, barista equipment (siphon, pour over, gooseneck kettles), and culinary accessories.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates work in prestigious restaurants and hotels worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Topkapı UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Academic partnership with Topkapı University providing institutional accreditation and university recognition for USLA programs. The university collaboration enabled the launch of Turkey's first Japanese Culinary Arts Program.
• Uzakdoğu Mutfak AkademisicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Far East Culinary Academy to deliver the Bronze-certified Japanese Culinary Arts Program, featuring master chef Shunichi Horikoshi.
• American Hospitality Academy (AHA-IHMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational certification partnership providing AHA diplomas that enable graduates to work and intern internationally in the USA, Spain, Portugal, and other countries.
• Shunichi HorikoshiflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese master chef and Goodwill Ambassador serving as the master chef for the Japanese Culinary Arts Program, teaching sushi and traditional Japanese cuisine techniques.
• Gusto by USLAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-campus Italian restaurant operated by students and instructors, providing real-world service training environment with boutique Italian cuisine.
• Skola CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-house coffee brand and café providing barista training environment and retail coffee sales including Skola espresso blends, filter blends, and Turkish coffee.
• Chocolate by USLAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-campus chocolate shop where pastry students practice chocolate making while serving customers, featuring custom bonbons and seasonal creations.
• USLA PatisseriecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent-operated bakery and pastry shop providing practical training in bread, pastry, and dessert production for customer service.
• FisslerminorOthersKitchen equipment sponsor providing professional-grade cookware and tools for training facilities.
• ID FineminorOthersProfessional kitchen equipment sponsor for culinary training classrooms.
• CallebautminorOthersChocolate and cocoa products sponsor for pastry and chocolate training programs.
• ElectroluxminorOthersProfessional kitchen equipment sponsor for training facilities.
• DiverseyminorOthersHygiene and cleaning solutions partner for kitchen sanitation training.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• MasterClass: Online education platform featuring celebrity chef tutorials. Represents the digital/hobbyist edge of culinary education that overlaps with USLA's workshop and entry-level segments but does not offer professional certification.
• Bahçeşehir University Gastronomy and Culinary Arts: Turkish university offering degree programs in gastronomy and culinary arts. Comparable to USLA's professional culinary training market in Turkey but delivers a longer-cycle academic degree rather than short-cycle professional certification.
• American Hospitality Academy (AHA-IHMS): US-based hospitality school providing international diplomas and certification. Direct comparable via USLA's AHA partnership — AHA enables USLA graduates to work internationally, making AHA a partner/peer in the international credentialing layer rather than a direct competitor.

Others

• Skola Coffee (sister brand retail): USLA's own coffee retail brand sold via Dükkan e-commerce. Listed as an ecosystem participant — provides barista training environment and packaged coffee distribution comparable to specialty coffee brands like Petra Coffee or Kronotrop in Turkey.
• Topkapı University: Turkish university partnering with USLA for institutional accreditation and the Japanese Culinary Arts Program. Academic partner and enabler of degree-level recognition for USLA's professional programs rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Culinary Institute of America (CIA): The leading US culinary school offering associate/bachelor degrees in culinary arts and baking. A global benchmark for USLA's professional culinary programs, with a much broader degree-granting portfolio and stronger global brand.
• Institute of Culinary Education (ICE): Large US-based culinary school with comprehensive professional culinary, pastry, and hospitality management programs. Comparable in career-focused culinary education depth and curriculum structure to USLA's professional tracks.

Direct peers

• Le Cordon Bleu Istanbul: International culinary institute with an Istanbul campus offering diploma programs in cuisine, pastry, and hospitality. Comparable to USLA in professional culinary training focus and Istanbul market, but with a globally established brand and higher price positioning.
• Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi (MSA): Istanbul-based culinary arts academy offering professional chef, pastry, and bakery programs with hands-on training and MEB certification. Directly comparable to USLA in target audience (career-focused culinary professionals in Turkey), program structure, and Istanbul market positioning.
• ICCA Dubai (International Center for Culinary Arts): Regional culinary academy in Dubai offering professional chef and pastry programs with Worldchefs recognition. Comparable to USLA's career-focused curriculum, certification portfolio, and operational kitchen training environment, though serving the Gulf market rather than Turkey.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uslaakademi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uslaakademi
• Instagraminstagram.com/uslaakademi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Uluslararası Servis ve Lezzet Akademisi